Complications

A possible complication of tetralogy of Fallot is infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valve caused by a bacterial infection (infective endocarditis). Your or your child's doctor may recommend taking antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent infections that might cause this infection.

People with untreated tetralogy of Fallot usually develop severe complications over time, which might result in death or disability by early adulthood.

Complications from tetralogy of Fallot surgery

While most babies and adults do well after open-heart surgery to repair tetralogy of Fallot defects (intracardiac repair), long-term complications are common. Complications may include:

• Leaking pulmonary valve (chronic pulmonary regurgitation), in which blood leaks through the valve back into the pumping chamber (right ventricle)
• Leaking tricuspid valve
• Holes in the wall between the ventricles (ventricular septal defects) that may continue to leak after repair or may need re-repair
• Enlarged right ventricle or left ventricle that isn't working properly
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Coronary artery disease
• Enlargement of the ascending aorta (aortic root dilation)
• Sudden cardiac death

It's very important to have regular checkups with a heart doctor trained in caring for people with congenital heart disease (pediatric cardiologist or adult congenital cardiologist).